Photo Camp: Barbados

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Fish Market Portrait

Photograph by Atia Cadogan

In March 2010, National Geographic Photo Camp headed to Christ Church, Barbados, where students from nine public schools got the chance to work with National Geographic photographers Sam Abell and Matt Moyer. The camp was held in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown in Barbados and the Barbados Museum and Historical Society. For four days, the students learned about telling the story of a place through photos and words, focusing on water scarcity, conservation, and how its forces have shaped their island. This photo gallery features some of their work.

"Water is one of our natural resources. When I think of water I think of life, energy, joy. Why? Because without it none of the above would exist. But when will we realize that we depend on water to live? I got that point but did you? Did everyone else? Water is so precious, so cool, so refreshing—but still why do we waste it? Lift up your head, open your mind, and think of water as a precious jewel."—Atia Cadogan

Dock Silhouette

Photograph and text by Clement Ford

I remembered the last time the pipe was left running in the bathroom, and the drains were blocked with garbage, and the sink was overflowing. The bathroom was flooded until the entire house was filled with water. The water bill was so high that the people refused to pay it. I hope the people will learn their lesson and never leave the pipe running with the drains blocked.

Military Checkpoint

Photograph and text by Charlene DeRoché

I am from Barbados, land of sea and sun. The land is an island, and the sea is an ocean of water. The sun is a big yellow balloon in the sky. The Island is a place surrounded by water. When I think of blue, I think of the beauty of water, and all that is within this is water, water, water.

Outdoor Shower

Photograph and text by Dominique Bonnet

I am from a place marketed and advertised as paradise. But the people living around me seem not to notice how lucky they are to inhabit this small island we call our own, Barbados.

Mirrored Landscape

Photograph and text by Danesha Goddard

I am from the past, present, and future.

Past: I am from a race, as old as time when it began and ended. I am from a race—a black, powerful, strong, rich race of men and women. The beginning and the end. I was the first of men, women, and children. Soon becoming and dividing into more races of men, women, and children. I was free like a bird, and forever flow in like the great rivers. And I was as strong as the ox.

Present: In the shops, the white men, the women, and children—a site to behold. I thought they were gods and goddesses. They bought me bonds, lashes, struggle, beatings, and capture. Becoming “the slavery.” The cries, the pleading all come back to me.

Future: Freedom. They cried. I am not free. I am trapped by the laws of man. It is injected into my system and polluting my mind and his bonds. My face and personality switches. They become a show, "the show" I put on to please man. Press on my light and a happy show comes on. Press off the darkness and a sad show comes on.

Reality: I am not or no longer flowing but rather rough and on edge in a turbulent sea. I am not as strong as an ox, but as strong as a bay ox who sucks on her mother.

I am from a race, I am not shamed. I am from a black, powerful, strong, rich race.

Sugar Factory

Photograph and text by Daniel Bowen

I am from Barbados, home of the Caribbean seas. My beauty is undefined, more or less one of a kind. You can search for miles or journey until the end of time. I’m certain you will never find or see a sight as stunning and breathtaking as me. Sandy shores, beautiful seas—everything around me is simply unique. Beautiful skies, dazzling scenery—all of this that you see is what makes me, me. I am Barbados.

Fish Market

Photograph and text by Shaneice Skeete

I am from a little nutshell surrounded by clear water and beautiful green trees. It’s one of the smallest countries in the universe.

I am a smile, a great big smile. Without that smile I’m not me looking at my little island. My face creates its own smile. The lovely golden sands and breath-taking beaches are just gorgeous. What is Barbados without the great waters, hills, and tourist attractions … it’s like me without a smile.

Flying Fish

Photograph and text by Danielle Herbert

I am from the world The world is so beautiful The world is so calm Especially the trees and stars and the sky The beach is so great, the sun is so bright It makes me feel so sweet inside That is why I love the world, because it is so exciting to me

Wrapped in Plastic

Photograph and text by Haydn Persaud

I am from terraces of limestone that overlook deep blue and calm waters that reflect the sun’s intensity. I am from beaches of delicately colored sand that absorbs the falling rays. Serene, turquoise waters like glass that allow the coral reefs to be seen below in the west. I am from hills and sand dunes carved by winds. Desolate and vast beaches and crashing waves from the Atlantic with smooth and unique rocks abundant in the east. I am from Barbados.

Hands in Water

Photograph and text by Melanie Grant

I am from darkness From her world without light—the womb Though birthed into illumination The cord was never cut; I am still attached I still linger here In the depths of her black shadows I am forever bound to her I am from darkness

Dry Pond

Photograph and text by Maria Marques

Where I am from is sometimes beautiful. When people don’t litter, after it rains in the morning when the sky is very light blue before the sun comes up. Sometimes it’s not beautiful when it feels dangerous, when gangs come and when women come to sell their own bodies. The best part of the place that I’m from is the kids, because they try their best to make it right.

Garden Reflection

Photograph and text by Khadija Best

I am from golden sands where the beaches and sand go hand in hand The island in the sun, the place where everyone feels like they’ve won. Like a pebble we are but a tiny part of the world, Even though you are tiny you have a place in my heart. I call it home. Green leaves and long arrows fill the air from the sugarcane, And season to season we enjoy the summer’s rain. I am from sun, sea, and sand.

Octopus

Photograph and text by Leann King

I am from Barbados. My name is Leeann. I am 12 years old. I really love photography. It is my favorite extracurricular activity. I love it 120 percent. When I was in photography at school I never thought that I would get this far but probably I might be the best photographer. I just love it!

Tractor and Bird

Photograph and text by Neesa Reid

I am from sea, sun, and sand A place where limestone rock and clay stand alone Completely surrounded by water The beaches relax me both mentally and physically with their blue, sunny skies Where the reflection showers down below upon the crystal clear saltwater, That rushes against the coral rocks and beautiful golden sand full of texture to which my footsteps wander I see real beauty I am from sea, sun, and sand.

Self-Portrait

Photograph and text by Nico Waldron

I am from the cold, the hot, and the dirty; the clean doesn’t matter to me. From swimming to diving to beaches … from springs it’s all the same things. Sometimes it’s blue, sometimes it’s green and it’s got the looks you shall see. Some people are scared of it but I don’t fear because I have been in the high and the low.

Fishpond

Photograph and text by Rico Brathwaite

I believe I can fly! The sky is my limit. Someday I want to fly. I would like to touch a cloud.

Boat Hulls

Photograph and text by Zara Beckles

I am from London and my name is Zara. I am 12 years old. I wish the world will be of peace and love. And people will treat everyone equally because no one is perfect but God. Help others who are ill, blind, and dumb. The beaches are clean and we live in a free country.

Big Fish

Photograph and text by Daniel Griffith

I am from Earth, I walk, I talk, I socialize I love, I hate, I forgive, I hold a grudge I laugh, I cry, I jump, I fall I am from dark, I am from light I am from fire, I am from water I am heaven, I am human.

Farmer

Photograph and text by Tyrel Headley

I am from the wonderful Parish of St. Lucy. The place where all beauty lives. The place that made me who I am. The place that made Tyrel.

Farm Pond

Photograph and text by Jamal Goddard

I am from the middle of the island The Parish has no sea or lake But we have the rain It makes puddles all over the place Some big, some small But that is not all The sky looks so soft It makes all seem so peaceful All on a quiet day